Psalms 107:38
By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's not just about having more livestock, but about God's active hand preventing any loss. This implies a deep care for their sustenance and a proactive blessing that guards against the very things that would diminish their wealth.
This passage is part of a larger section in Psalm 107 that contrasts God's judgment on wickedness with His abundant blessing upon those who call on Him. Following descriptions of God turning fertile lands into deserts and vice versa, it highlights the prosperity that God bestows on those who inhabit these transformed, fruitful lands. The context emphasizes God's direct action in causing both the people and their livestock to flourish, preventing any loss or diminishment.
Ever feel like your efforts aren't enough? This verse reminds us that true abundance isn't just about hard work, but about God's active blessing.
The psalmist highlights that prosperity, both in people and possessions, isn't left to chance. God's blessing is the active force behind great multiplication and the protection of what is valuable.
Multiplication of People
When the text says 'they multiply greatly,' it speaks to more than just a growing population. It reflects God's favor, making families fruitful and communities thrive. This echoes promises given to Abraham, where God affirmed His covenant through abundant offspring.
Preservation of Possessions
The assurance that God 'does not let their livestock diminish' points to His providential care. Livestock were a primary measure of wealth and sustenance. God's safeguarding means not only an absence of loss but often an implied increase, ensuring a stable and prosperous livelihood.
We often see God turning impossible situations around. This psalm celebrates His power to bring life and fruitfulness even to the most desolate places.
Psalm 107 paints a vivid picture of God's transformative power, contrasting desolation with abundance. This isn't just about physical land, but about the spiritual condition of people and communities.
From Desert to Oasis
Verses before and after ours describe God turning deserts into pools and fruitful lands into salt (and vice versa). This supernatural intervention shows that human effort alone cannot create true fertility. God's blessing is what brings life where there was none and restores what was ruined.
The Source of True Increase
The psalm moves from describing God's dramatic physical interventions to the blessing on the people themselves. The great multiplication and preservation of livestock are the results of His blessing on the land and the people's obedience. This reminds us that true, lasting increase flows from God's gracious work, not merely from favorable circumstances.
Understand the original words
berakah · Hebrew Noun
In the biblical context, the act of divine favor or empowerment bestowed by God upon His people, enabling them to thrive, prosper, and fulfill their purpose.
This psalm speaks to God's faithfulness in restoring His people, especially after the devastating Babylonian exile. It highlights how God can turn barren lands into fertile ones and bring His people back to prosperity, multiplying them greatly and sustaining their livelihood, just as He promised after their return.
c. 1440 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, a foundational event of national identity and divine deliverance.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy under David
The establishment of Jerusalem as the capital and a period of relative peace and expansion laid groundwork for future prosperity.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's reign, the unified kingdom split into Israel (north) and Judah (south), leading to political instability and conflict.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of its people and scattering them.
586 BC
This passage echoes the theme of God's blessing leading to great multiplication and a flourishing lineage, similar to how Psalm 107:38 speaks of multiplying greatly.
Deuteronomy 28:4The promise of blessed offspring and livestock in Deuteronomy 28:4 directly parallels the blessing of multiplication and preservation of herds mentioned in Psalm 107:38.
Psalm 144:13This verse speaks of 'our granaries full, providing all kinds of produce; our sheep multiplying by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields,' which beautifully illustrates the kind of prolific increase and prosperity described in Psalm 107:38.
Jeremiah 30:19Jeremiah prophesies that 'from them will come songs of thanksgiving, and the sound of rejoicing. I will add to their numbers, and they will not be decreased; I will bring them honor, and they will not be disdained,' reflecting the theme of God's blessing leading to multiplication and preservation.
Luke 6:38Jesus teaches 'Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap,' which highlights the principle of divine abundance and overflow that underpins the blessing of multiplication in Psalm 107:38.
pulpitPsalms 107:38: "He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease."
Verse 38. - He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly. With in creasing prosperity comes increase of population, naturally - i.e. by God's ordinary providence. This increase is, however, only a blessing within certain limits. And suffereth not their cattle to decrease. This modest under-statement suggests an enormous increase (comp. Job 42:12).
calvinPsalms 107:33-41: "He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;"
- He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and springs of water into dryness; 34. A fruitful land into saltness, [287] because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it. 35. He turneth the desert into a pool of water, and the land of barrenness into springs of water. 36. And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may build a city of habitation; 37. And sow fields, and plant vineyards, and eat t…
It's not just about having more livestock, but about God's active hand preventing any loss. This implies a deep care for their sustenance and a proactive blessing that guards against the very things that would diminish their wealth.
This passage is part of a larger section in Psalm 107 that contrasts God's judgment on wickedness with His abundant blessing upon those who call on Him. Following descriptions of God turning fertile lands into deserts and vice versa, it highlights the prosperity that God bestows on those who inhabit these transformed, fruitful lands. The context emphasizes God's direct action in causing both the people and their livestock to flourish, preventing any loss or diminishment.
This passage is part of a larger section in Psalm 107 that contrasts God's judgment on wickedness with His abundant blessing upon those who call on Him. Following descriptions of God turning fertile lands into deserts and vice versa, it highlights the prosperity that God bestows on those who inhabit these transformed, fruitful lands. The context emphasizes God's direct action in causing both the people and their livestock to flourish, preventing any loss or diminishment.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 107:38 is available in the Sola app.
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonian Empire destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the people of Judah and marking a period of profound national crisis.
539 BC
Cyrus's Decree and Return
The Persian king Cyrus allowed the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, initiating a period of restoration.
"By his blessing they multiply greatly, and he does not let their livestock diminish." — It's not just about having more livestock, but about God's active hand preventing any loss. This implies a deep care for their sustenance and a proactive blessing that guards against the very thing…
